[Coug00]

Quote: Originally Posted by rsox

The pitchers in the Adam Jones trade come to mind as well as Putz and Green to the Mets. I don't doubt that Theo was the aggresser here. I'm sure he would love another flame thrower to bookend between Beckett and Lester. Buut even if the Mariners were getting Buchholz back that is still a lot to give up just to get another 1B/DH (though Gonzalez is far and away better than Branyan/Sweeney/Shelton/Carp and Griffey).

Yeah, Zduriencik admitted things never got serious. Obviously there wasn't a combination that made any sense for Seattle.

Z is extremely economical and all about finding under-appreciated players who can be had for pennies. He's capatilized on bringing in some pitchers who were undervalued and cheap (Snell, Cortes, and Aardsma come to mind). Which is why he got rid of Putz and Washburn, they were too expensive and/or were over-valued. If Batista or Silva had any value at all they'd be gone by now as well.

The current starting rotation only costs about $8 million with at least $20 million available for free agents after player arbitrations for 2010. I think he's setting the M's up nicely for long term success.